Baked Pimento Bacon Mac & Cheese
By Traeger Kitchen
1 Reviews
Throw some flavor into your mac and cheese routine. We’re adding a Southern staple, pimentos, and combining them with bacon for a sweet and smoky kick.
Prep Time
15 Min
Cook Time
50 Min
Pellets
Apple
Yields: 6 Servings
Ingredients
main
- To Taste
- kosher salt
- 4 Tablespoon
- (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 Medium
- yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/4 Cup
- plus 1 tablespoon diced pimento peppers
- 2 Clove
- garlic, minced
- 5 Tablespoon
- all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 Cup
- heavy cream
- 1 1/2 Cup
- whole milk
- 3 Sprig
- fresh thyme
- 1 Sprig
- fresh rosemary
- 2
- dried bay leaves
- 1 Tablespoon
- Whole black peppercorns
- 1 Pound
- Dried elbow macaroni
- 1 Pound
- shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 Cup
- panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 Cup
- grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 Tablespoon
- (1/2 stick) melted unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 Teaspoon
- smoked paprika
- 1/4 Cup
- cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 Teaspoon
- Chopped fresh parsley
Units of Measurement:
Steps
- Step 1 - When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 350℉ and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. - 350 ˚F / 177 ˚C - Ingredients- To Taste kosher salt 
 
- Step 2 - Melt the butter in a medium stock pot on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Add the onion and peppers and sauté until translucent and tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 30 seconds more. - Ingredients- 4 Tablespoon (1/2 stick) unsalted butter 
- 1 Medium yellow onion, finely diced 
- 1/4 Cup plus 1 tablespoon diced pimento peppers 
- 2 Clove garlic, minced 
 
- Step 3 - Add the flour and stir well with a wooden spoon to coat the vegetables. Cook the roux until it smells slightly nutty, about 1 minute. While whisking, stream in the cream and milk and continue to whisk until any flour clumps are worked out. - Ingredients- 5 Tablespoon all-purpose flour 
- 2 1/2 Cup heavy cream 
- 1 1/2 Cup whole milk 
 
- Step 4 - Wrap the thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and black peppercorns in cheesecloth and tie up with twine. Drop into the cream mixture and simmer until the liquid thickens, 15-20 minutes. Remove the cheesecloth bundle and discard. - Ingredients- 3 Sprig fresh thyme 
- 1 Sprig fresh rosemary 
- 2 dried bay leaves 
- 1 Tablespoon Whole black peppercorns 
 
- Step 5 - Meanwhile, add the elbow noodles to the boiling water and cook for 6-8 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta, then return it to the pot. - Ingredients- 1 Pound Dried elbow macaroni 
 
- Step 6 - Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and whisk in the Gruyère until melted. Season with salt to taste. - Ingredients- 1 Pound shredded Gruyère cheese 
 
- Step 7 - Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles and stir to coat thoroughly, then transfer to a large cast iron pan. 
- Step 8 - In a medium bowl, combine the panko, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and paprika and stir well. Sprinkle the mixture over the mac and cheese. - Ingredients- 1 Cup panko breadcrumbs 
- 1/4 Cup grated Parmesan cheese 
- 4 Tablespoon (1/2 stick) melted unsalted butter 
- 1 1/2 Teaspoon smoked paprika 
 
- Step 9 - Place the cast iron skillet on the grill grates. Close the lid and bake until the cheese sauce is bubbling and the top is lightly browned, 15-20 minutes. - 00:20 - 350 ˚F / 177 ˚C 
- Step 10 - Remove the mac and cheese from the grill, top with the bacon and parsley, and serve. Enjoy! - Ingredients- 1/4 Cup cooked bacon, crumbled 
- 1 Teaspoon Chopped fresh parsley 
 
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